COLLEGE SOFTBALL: Lions christen Dr. June Walker Field with shutout win

The College of New Jersey softball team carried a 12-4 record into yesterday’s home doubleheader with DeSales, and a highlight during that start came on Saturday when the Lions christened the newly dedicated Dr. June Walker Field in the right way.

TCNJ defeated SUNY Cortland, 3-0, in the first game of a doubleheader behind the shutout pitching of standout freshman Ashtin Helmer. And anyone who knew the late Dr. Walker, would know that anything less than a victory in the first game played on “her” field would have been unacceptable.

The field, named after the former Lions coach who won 721 games and five NCAA Division III championships from 1974-95, was dedicated on Oct. 20. But this was the first official game played on it and coach Sally Miller, who replaced Walker in 1996, was happy how things turned out.

“I’m an outsider, I’m from the Midwest and I didn’t play here, so I have a completely different look at it than people who came through program and what not,” Miller said. “But I’m pretty adamant in saying it was due time. She really was instrumental in the college and where it is today.

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“There were a few things special (about Saturday). We officially got it named in October and had a really nice turnout then. But we had about 20 (alumni) come back for the first game and it was nice to get that first win.”

The naming of the field in honor of Walker had been discussed for numerous years but one of the driving forces behind it was former Lion hurler Robin Payne, a 1983 graduate, who “was instrumental in keeping people focused on it and keeping this going,” according to the current coach.

Miller admitted she felt immense pressure when taking over for Walker, and that the late legend took a hands-off approach and allowed Miller to find her own way.

“The first year was extremely stressful, I really wanted to do well and keep the tradition going and have the alumni and the school be happy,” Miller said. “It was big shoes. I feel like we’ve done OK, but I’ll be honest, this is my 17th year and it’s through the naming of the field that I’ve really started to believe I’ve been here this long.

“I hadn’t felt that before this. I was supportive of it, I felt it was way overdue time that her name was up there and I’m glad we got it done.”

And although the Lions dropped the second game of the Saturday doubleheader, they swept Muhlenberg on Sunday to improve their winning percentage to .750 in the season’s first month.

“I didn’t know exactly what to expect this season,” Miller said. “I knew coming in that we had a great recruiting class and it was just a matter of how they would make the adjustment academically to athletically, and they’ve done very well. They’re taking it in stride.

“We have a lot of experienced players in the starting lineup and some very inexperienced players. And the experienced players have to show their experience, make it look easy so the first year players can follow that lead and you can take them on a ride. It’s their turn to step up and make it easy, so the first year players think it’s easy.”

Huttner, a West Windsor-Plainsboro South grad, is hitting .462 with five doubles, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored. Sogluizzo was batting .364, Hommen .361, Casale .333 and Lake .286 after the Lions southern trip.

“Kristen missed the end of last season with a knee injury and she’s been amazing this year,” Miller said. “She’s come back strong. Defensively she’s stepped up her game, offensively she has a lot of passion and it really shows.”

TCNJ has also gotten huge contributions from a number of freshmen. Helmer and Nicole Hronich are a combined 11-1, and are being handled by freshmen catchers Jamie Purcell and Brianna Cetrulo. First baseman Deanna Utter and left fielder Christine Desiderio are both hitting over. 300.

“They’re all doing well, I’m really happy for them,” Miller said. “I knew it was a good recruiting class and they’re meshing in well.”

Miller has not only happy with her team’s play, but the way in which everyone has accepted their roles on a 22-woman roster. The result has led to a strong start with New Jersey Athletic Conference play looming.

“They’re a very confident group right now,” the coach said. “They know every inning is huge and you have to be on top of your game. If you don’t show up one day, it could be the difference between getting into the conference tournament or getting a regional bid.”

RIDER’S SENSI HONORED: Rider freshman Dana Sensi, an Allentown High graduate, earned her first collegiate honor this week as she was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week.

Sensi batted .556 with 10 hits in six games. She had two doubles, a home run, six RBI and two runs scored, with a slugging percentage of .833. In a doubleheader against Green Bay she went 6-for-6.

Sensi leads the Broncs (3-23) with a .378 average, two home runs, seven doubles and 14 RBI. She also leads the team with eight multiple hit games and three multiple RBI games.

TIGERS STREAK INTO IVY: Princeton completed its spring break trip through the Middle-Atlantic states with four straight victories, giving the Tigers a 14-8 record entering the Ivy League season. Princeton opens Ivy play Saturday with a home doubleheader against Brown.

Lisa Sweeney’s squad started the trip with four straight losses at Georgetown and James Madison, but bounced back to beat George Washington, Lafayette (by forfeit) and Colgate twice.

As it prepares for league play, Princeton leads all Ivy teams with 123 runs, 18 home runs and 110 RBI, and is second to Cornell in team average. In pitching stats, the Tigers are second to Columbia in team ERA (2.62) and first in strikeouts (126).

MCCC BACK HOME: Mercer finished its trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. with a 7-4 record in the Snowbird Classic. The Vikings then split a home doubleheader with Nassau Saturday and swept Bergen Sunday to improve to 12-5.